Virtualise domain controllers

Felix · 10 Jun 2009 at 22:39

Would it be wise to virtualise a domain controller? Even if it were 1 host with 1 VM.

Felix · 10 Jun 2009 at 22:51

It would mainly be for disaster recovery. Also for upgrading complete hardware later, it would be easier to shift a VM rather than my current situation of bring a new DC online (2008) and then adding the roles of each DC and then decommissioning the old ones.

Felix · 10 Jun 2009 at 23:05

Yes, even under Hyper-V you can use 1 licence for Host and then up to 4 VMs per host. (Our licences are cheap anyway as its education, not that I like to waste money!)

These DCs were last upgraded 5 years ago.

Felix · 10 Jun 2009 at 23:18

Very true. I'll leave it be!

Thanks.

Felix · 11 Jun 2009 at 20:56

#Chri5# said:
MS have a KBA on things to consider when virtualising a DC:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/888794

Very useful, thanks.

Felix · 11 Jun 2009 at 22:07

What were your reason behind doing it?

Felix · 11 Jun 2009 at 22:08

Yup, I am just trying to get an idea why others have virtualise them. Was it to save on hardware?